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THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CHRISTIAN'S END, 



^ JTuitaal Wxscouxst, 



ON THE DEATH OF 



MAJOR THOMAS ROWLAND 



BY REV. R. R. KELLOGG. 







?Detroxt: 

PRINTED BY W. W. HART, BOOK & JOB PRINTER. 



1849. 




' 7 A*V 



::. •^4i -H 



.^:-:^'^ 
-'^' 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE, 



Delivered August 26th, 



PN OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF 



MAJOR THOMAS ROWLAND, 



RUIING ELDER IN THE U PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DETROIT, 



tDI)o Witif on t\)t Xdi\) of ^Ujgust, 1840. 



BY R. R. KELLOGG, 

OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — DETROIT. 



PUBLISHED BY BEQUEST. 



^53 



Rkv. K. H. Kkllogg : — 

Dear Sir — In the decease of our respected townsman, Major Thom- 
as Rowland, we mourn the loss of one whose name sliould be had in 
remenibmnce, and wliuse niemor}- will be cherished both for his pub- 
lic services in the State, his oflicial tidelity in the church, and his pri- 
vate virtues as a citizen and a christian ; and desirous of preserving 
tlie record of liim presented in your Funeral Sermon on la.st Sab- 
bath, we would resj)ectfully soheit a copy for j)ublicatiun. 
Yours respectfully. 

L. CASS, JOHN S. BAGG, 

H. IIALLOCK, JNO. WINDER, 

D. BETIIUNE DUFFIELD, JOHN PALMER, 
SAMUEL ZUG, C. P. WOODRUFF. 

II. T. BACKUS. 
Detboit, August 31bt, lb49. 



To Hon. Lewis Cass, H. IIallock, and otiier-s : — 

Gentlemen — If, by complying with your re(iuest, I can aid at all in 
perpi'tuating the remembrance of one I loved, and lead to the imita- 
tion of his pnictical piety aiid diligent de\otion, I shall cheerfully con- 
sent ; though, I could wish a more worthy tribute might be rendered 
i" li'- ni.ini.rv. Voiir- r''>i;>*»ctfully. 

R.- R. KKLLOGG. 
Detroit, Sept. 3d, 1849. 



FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 



Psalms xxxvii, 31 — " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the 
end of that man is peace." 

" The memory of the just is blessed. The righteous shall be had 
in everlasting remembrance. Mark the perfect man and behold the 
upright, for the end of that man is peace." These are first truths in 
the philosophy of heaven. EstabHshed principles in the government 
of God — earth often casts out the names of good men as evil, but 
God causes them to be remembered, while " the memory of the wick- 
ed doth rot." Death may mar the forms of those we love; and we 
desire to have them buried from our sight — but their features will be 
graven indelibly on our minds, and their virtues be enshrined in our 
recollection, and their influence be perpetuated in its power ; for 
though dead they will yet continue to speak, in their remembered 
counsels, and by their consistent lives. 

Such we believe will be the case in reference to one whose loss we 
all now mourn, but who himself, we doubt not, is in the enjoyment of 
the " eternal gain." We meet to-day to pay one of the last tributes 
of respect to departed worth. We meet to mingle our sympathies 
with surviying friends. We meet to record the goodness of God, and 
to honor Him by acknowledging to His praise the work of redeeming, 
and in a measure sanctifying and thus preparing for the " better 
land," one who in this city has been long and favorably known — first 
as a soldier — that place so unfavorable to piety ; yet not without its 
christian heroes — its Cornelius's — who even there have feared God ; 
but more recentlj'^ and better known as a statesman, and officer in our 
chvu'ches, and soldier of the cross. 

God in his all-Avise Providence has taken away from the 2d Pres- 
byterian Church — an Elder — a counsellor — a tried Christian — a pa- 
tient, humble, self-denying and most useful laborer, who was content 
to " do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." Major Rowland 



4 A rrNERAL DI8C0VRSK. 

iras formerly an elder in the 1st Presbyterinn Church ; but, acting 
from his conviction of duty — willing to forego personal ease, and break 
away from brethren whom he loved and who loved him in return, and 
labor in the establishment of another church, which by the express 
vote of his co-elders in session assembled, Imd been approved, he went 
out from his brethren and was unanimously chosen to the eldership 
by the 2d Presbyterian Church at the time of its organization. It is 
now less than a year since that organization took place, when by the 
side of another, much his junior, a public recognition of the vows of 
office was made, in this very house, and before this pulpit, and in the 
presence of most of this very congregation now assembled. Here the 
little church was gathered. Here they entered into fellowship. — 
Here they mutually covenanted to walk together in all the ordinances 
of Christ's house blameless. Here they promi.'^cd, in reference to the 
eldership, "obedience in the Lord." But six months arc past and the 
first one of their number whose translation to the upper sancluar}-, 
the church tiiumphant, we record, is the oldest man among us, and 
the one most ripe for heaven. He was spared long enough to see that 
he had acted wisely, and as God would have him act, and to rejoice 
over sinners saved. He was spared to see the church adding to her 
numbers, by conversions from the world. He was permitted to be 
himself an instrument of directing some to the " I^mb of God that 
taketh away the sin of the world." He was permitted to see a be- 
ginning made for the erection of a suitable church edifice, where, as 
his faith led him to believe, many might be gathered, trophies of no- 
torious grace, and then he was taken from us to be our fore-runner to 
the skies. For a little season he has prayed with us and counselled 
us, and borne the symbols of Christ's love before us, at the Master's 
table. He has sought in our prayer-meetings, and by his daily walk 
and conversation, " to allure us to brighter worlds," and now he has 
" led the wav." We have seen him for the last time on earth. We 
shall see his face no more 'till we mingle with the " spirits of the just 
made perfect in heaven." We have listened to his last conversation 
on the footstool ; when we meet again it w ill be to listen on some high 
hill of heaven, as he converses on the nobler things of the spirit world, 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 5 

or on the reminiscences of earth. With him we can hold no converse 
now ; but we may with one another, in reference to him, while we 
seek to improve the exhortation and admonition of Solomon, who bids 
us " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that 
man is peace." The subject proposed being — 

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CHRISTIAN'S END. 

1st. We are to contemplate the christian — for that is what is meant 
when it says, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright^ These 
terms are here mutually exegetical, and consequently are descriptive 
of the same individual. They describe and were designed to describe 
the same specific character. By perfection and uprightness here we 
understand not sinless innocence — not perfect conformity to the law 
of God, that excludes the office work of Jesus Christ — not immuta- 
bility, nor indestructibleness, all of which enters into the perfect char- 
acter of God — but that renovation of our nature which is implied in 
regeneration, which consists in " putting off the old man with his 
deeds, and putting on the new man, which after God is created in 
righteousness and true holiness." It is the condition of the humble, 
self-renouncing, sincere, obedient follower of Christ, that is here de- 
scribed — the man who lives in the daily mortifying of the deeds of 
the body — " laying aside every weight and the sin that doth most 
easily beset him — running with patience the race that is set before 
him, looking unto Jesus" — the man who with unreserved submission 
to God, and entire consecration to Christ, in the indulgence of right 
affections and volitions, and the ruling purpose of the soul in accord- 
ance with truth and goodness, seeks God's glory in his own increasing 
holiness, and in other men's salvation ; being watchful and prayerful, 
having integrity, with unfeigned love to God and respect to all His 
commandments. There is nothing here that is inconsistent with great- 
er and still greater progress in getting the victory over sin and tempta- 
tion, and every adversary of the soul. Nothing that is akin to self-righ- 
teous Phariseeism, that says "Stand by thyself, I am holier than thou." 
Nothing inconsistent with progressive sanctification, as we hold and 
believe it. Nothing inconsistent with confessing sin and acknowledg- 



A FL'KERAL UIRC0CR8E. 

ini,' all faults, foibles and frailties, and the indulrroncc of an earnest 
dt'sire to bo fn-c from all sin, "If wc say we liave no sin, we de- 
ceive ourselves, and tlu* truth is not in us. If we pay we have not 
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. If wc con- 
fess our sins, He is faithful and just to for^nve us our sins, and to 
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

We can not, then, here mistake, when called upon to " mark the 
perfect, " Ac. We are not called upon to contemplate sinless inno- 
cence — nor the condition of one who has no need of means of (rrncc 
which God has provided for " the perfecting of the saints ;" nor need 
of daily prayer to be forgiven his transgressions ; but wo are ctilled 
upon to regard attontivoly and contemplate the consistent christian — 
to behold and consider him, that we may profit by the view. " Mark 
the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is 
peace." 

Such christians are furnished to us as examples. They constitute 
the "great cloud of witnesses" of which the apostle speaks. Hob. xii, 1, 
of whom the world was not worthy, who have obtained a good re- 
port — Christ's witnesses — 

" Tlicy arc lij^hts upon the c^irtli, 
Chililren of a hcnvmly birth; 
One with Go<l, with Jesus one, 
Glory is in them l»c^in." 

There is nothing here described that should not l)C exemplified by 
everv professor of religion. Our text is not speaking of extraordinary 
instances of piety, but of christians as they should be in every day 
life. They should be the perfect men, the upriglit — men made con- 
spicuous — whom th<' w'l'l III iv )/)(/)•/• riiid .(insider, .iiid whosc cnd 
is peace. 

And now. in reference to this class of men, consider ihc'xr jforen tape, 
{hc'ir pat rim on >/, thv'ir pnitrij>lrs, and their ;><•«<•«;/>// end. 

I. We ask you to con.»ider tho christian's parentage. He is a child 
of God — not by natural but by a spiritual birth. God has regenera- 
ted him and adopted him, and given him a new name, and sent forth 
his spirit in his heart, crying Abba, Father. By adoption into God's 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 7 

family, lie is brought into near and intimate relationsliip to God — be- 
comes the child of God, by faith in Jesus Christ. " For to as 
many as receive Christ, to them gives He i30wer to become the Sons 
of God, even to as many as believe on His name." The christian is 
God's child. Strange, wonderful condescension ; amazing love, bound- 
less as the ocean, fathomless as the deep blue sea. No wonder angels 
adore and admire ; no wonder archangels' intellect could never yet 
find soundings as they have sought to fathom this abyss of love. 
Christ was the Son of God, but in a peculiar sense. The Jews found 
fault with him for calling himself God's Son. But we say, that in a 
noble and a glorious sense, it is every christian's prerogative and pri- 
vilege to call God Father, and claim brotherhood to Christ. 

If Jesus Christ had done no more, says Madam D'Stael, than re- 
veal this truth, he would have conferred an incalculable blessing on 
mankind. Consider its implications. Here is I'evealed the brother- 
hood of the race. Here is impressed our duty to perform kind offices 
for all, of every name and age and clime and color. 

In view of this truth, we are to be followers of God as dear children. 
God is the christian's Father ; they His sons and daughters. His 
children, of the household of faith — the household of God — the family 
which, both in heaven and earth, is named after Christ. Though in 
one sense God is the Father of all, for in Him we live and move and 
have our being, and He giveth to all their food ; still, in a higher and 
a nobler sense can christians say, " Our Father who art in heaven." 
God has taken this endeared household relation of parent and child — 
of home and all its associations, to illustrate his benevolent regard for 
human welfare. The tenderness of His affection, the earnestness of 
His solicitude, His watchfulness and care, are all shadowed forth in 
the happy home. Ah ! how different the condition here described 
from that of him, who, rejecting revelation, believes himself given up 
to be the sport of circumstances, subject only to natm-e's laws, and 
living in an orphaned world. To such, how miserable is life ! How 
cheerless the grave ! How appalling is death ! — for he can not say, 
Mij Father is my God, and God is my Father. 



9 ▲ rCNERAL DISCOUBU. 

II. I lis Pntrimony. By this pre unJerstand the inheritance one re- 
ceives in oonst>(|uriicr of his rolntionship to his Father. The patrimo- 
ny of the christian, then, is what ho receives in consequence of his 
adoption into the family of God. And what does he receive ? Paul 
tells us repeatedly, when he says, "All thinps" belong to the chris- 
tian. All things ! Tlie christian, by adoption into the family of God, 
becomes, a.s it were, a universal proprietor. He has an interest of 
ownership in everj- thing. We read, that "all things work together 
for good, to them that love God, to them who are called, according 
to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow. He also did predesti- 
nate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the 
first bom among many hrethrm. He that spared not his own Son, 
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely 
give us all things f 

Again, Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says to them, " All things 
are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cepha.s, or the world, or life, 
or death, or things present, or things to come — all arc yours and \e 
are Christ's, and Christ is God's." Again — "All things are for your 
Bakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of 
many, redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not ; 
though our outward man perish, yet our inward man is renewed day 
by day." 

Behold, then, the christian's patrimony. Let us not be misunder- 
stood here. We are not arguing for a universal agrariauistn in the 
church, nor pleading for the dogmas of those misguided, fifth monar- 
chy men, who with truth enough to give coherence to their scheme, 
mingled so much of human imperfection, and arrogated to themselves . 
the title of saints, and claimed on this ground to be the owners of the 
earth, and the only rightful proprietors of the soil and silver, of the 
kingdoms and the kingly office, under Christ. We do not believe that 
the christian now is to have his whole patrimony in possession ; that 
civil rights and nilc belong primarily to him, as a saint, dominion 
being founded in grace. We concede to all men alike their natural 
privileges, inalienable rights, a proprietory interest in whatever they 
ran honestly acquire, whether they be Jews or Jesuits. Christians or 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 9 

Pagans, Popes or Prelates, Princes or Plebeians; what we contend for 
is, that all things are for the christian's sake. "All thino-s in heaven 
or earth, in time or eternity, are appointed to do some service to 
them." This is tlie idea, "that all things in the creation of God — all 
things in His vast dominions, which a christian can or shall at any- 
time have to do with, shall as certainly serve to promote his true 
interests and his final happiness, as though he himself had sovereign 
dominion over them, or present possession of them." Every thing 
shall tm-n to the christian's account ; shall do him service ; shall min- 
ister to his temporal comfort, or to his spiritual advantage, or to his 
eternal welfare. Those things he thinks to be against him, shall be 
for him ; those he thinks adverse, shall be advantageous ; and wheth- 
er we be rich or poor, the sovereign or the slave, prosperous or per- 
secuted, victorious or vanquished, joyful or sorrowful — all shall min- 
ister, under God, our Father, to our well being. It is part and p.-ircel 
of the patrimony he gives us. Our duty is to study the design of the 
giver and improve the gift. It may to some seem strange that we 
should include trials with triumphs, sorrow and suffering with joy and 
security, as part of the christian's patrimony ; and yet, when we have 
learned the beneficial influence of these things, Ave shall not doubt 
their value. Infinitely better is it for the christian than unalloyed 
prosperity and joy. By them is the delusive influence of Avorldly 
things counteracted ; by them is the soul brought back again from the 
pursuits of folly ; by them is it Aveaned from the world, and caused to 
fasten on the skies. " Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth ; and if 
we be without chastisement, then are Ave not sojis." Who can esti- 
mate the christian's patrimony ? All things are his. " All things 
shall Avork together for their good ; no good thing Avill he withhold 
from them that Avalk uprightly. Like as a father pitieth his children, 
so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." He makes the cup of bless- 
ings overflow : He sweetens the bitter draught : "He tempers the 
wind to the shorn lamb :" He removes the sting of death : He chains 
the lions that threaten to devour : He holds back the avalanch that 
seems ready to overwhelm us : He provides the ram in the thicket 
when Isaac is about to be slain, and spares him ; and if Benjamin 



^ A riSKRAL DI8C0UMS. 

must be taken, and in bitterness of soul the christian exclaims, " 1ft 
havo ye bt*roavo(i of my children ; Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, 
and will ye take Benjamin awuy too ? All these things arc against 
me," — then he rebukes the desponding spirit ; he leads them by faith 
to behold Simeon with Jesus, our Joseph, and Benjamin hut going to 
join them — where, as Lords of the Manor, as princes in the land, as 
having abundance and no famine to distress them, they can rejoice for 
ever. God having tried the faith of his sen'ants, having led them 
along this, a dark and dreary pilgrimjige, with its lights and shadows, 
and the shadows more frequent and deeper than the lights are large — 
all the while telling them, by his providence and grace, that they 
should tnist and not he afraid — finally brings them to see the wag- 
gons and the provisions and the changes of raiment and the silver, and 
to hear like as if it were a new revelation, Jesus (our Joseph) is 
Governor, and then their spirit revives and they cxultingly exclaim, 
" It is enough," and they take their journey, and they enter the 
goodly land, and they conic into possession of blessings inconceivably 
rich, inexpressibly glorious. Mark the perfect man ; consider well his 
Parentage — consider his Patrimouy. 

III. Consider now his principles. He belongs to a kingdom not of 
this world, all whose subjects are required to do justly, love mercy, 
and walk humbly before God. He was a rebel and a traitor, and has 
become a royalist and a loyalist, and a faithful and favored subject, 
and now all his principles spring from his allegiance to the throne. 
' He recognizes God as his rightful Sovereign ; his word is law ; his 
commands binding, though they lead to the scaffold, the rack, or the 
stake. He labors, whether present or absent, to be accepted of God. 
His principle is to please God, however men may regard it : and 
hence he is described as " the man who walketh not in the counsel of 
the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat 
of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his 
law doth he nnditatc day and night." Again : He walketh up- 
rightly, and workeih righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 
He backbiteth not with his tongue, nor dooth evil to his neighbor, nor 
taketh up a reproach against his neighbor : in whose eyes a vile per- 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 11 

son is contemned, but he knowetli them that fear the Lord. He 
sweareth to his own heart and changeth not ; he putteth not out his 
money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. — Psalm xv. 
He that doeth these things shall never be moved. These are his prin- 
ciples. He is one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who hath 
not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. — Psalm xxiv. 
He shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ; he shall stand in his holy 
place. The man who acts on these principles is the christian, and 
none other. He takes Christ for his pattern — cultivates holiness in 
the fear of the Lord — resists sin even unto blood — exemplifies the 
things that are lovely and of good report — is long-suffering and kind, 
meek, merciful, and humble and forgiving ; he holds forth the word 
of life — is a light in the world — is known and read of all men — culti- 
vates the temper and spirit of Christ, and has for the ruling purpose 
of his heart the glory of God. Such are his principles. He is not 
conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of his mind, 
that he may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will 
of God. — Rom. xii., 2. 

His principles ally him to God and goodness, and, if more gener- 
ally carried out, would reform the world, regenerate mankind, make 
earth a heaven. You have seen and heard of the efficacy of these 
principles ; they are the power of God unto salvation to every one 
that believeth — to the JeAv first, and also to the Gentile. They form 
a perfect system of morals ; they prescribe to men their duties to one 
another and to God, and they reach the first workings of the human 
heart ; they enjoin purity of soul, and bring every thought into cap- 
tivity to the obedience of faith. 

Mark the christian in his principles. No principles of worldly 
policy, no suggestions of anarchical expediency, belong to him of 
right. The use of them is opposed to the teaching of the Master, who 
forbids us to do evil that good may come. The christian's road is the 
highway of holiness. His duty is found in obeying God ; his motto, 
Let others do as they will, as for me, I follow the Lord. " Lord ! 
what wilt thou have me to do ?" 



19 A FUNERAL DISCOUMB. 

IV. But consider again his aid. Consiidcr not only his parentage, 
his patrimony, his principles, but nUo his end, for this is peace. " The 
wicked arc Hko the troubled sea, that cuimot rc:>t, wliose waters cast 
up mire and dirt." In their deatli, tliey may tometimet be stoically 
apathetic, or unbeUevingly blind or hardened through the deceitful- 
ness of sin, or they may die like the brute, or sport amid their death 
pangs ; but o/tcner they tremble at the approach of the angel of death. 
They seek to secure themselves from his quivering spear ; they cry 
out, "Oh for an inch uf time;" they trace in pencil marks the word 
" Remorse ;" they envy the dog his lot, for he has no account to ren- 
der; and they would gladly, if they could avail any tiling, call upon 
the rocks and the mount^tins to fall u])on them and hide them from 
the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the face of the 
Lamb. After death, what follows ? God has said, "There is no 
peace to the wicked." How different the condition of the christian, 
the child of God ! Though sometimes in bondage through fear of 
death, yet oftener they smile as he advances, and welcome his ap- 
proach. Faith shows them the land of Bculah in prospect ; the pearly 
gates of the New Jerusalem are unbarred ; with dying Stephen, they 
see the ho.ivens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right 
hand of God ; and as they Wiilk through the djirk valley and shadow 
of death, they fear no evil, for God is with them; his rod and his staff 
doth comfort them. And when the valley is passed, and the Jordan 
crossed, and an entrance mini-tered to them abundantly into the 
heavenly Canaan, the dwelling-place of God, the kingdom of the Sa- 
viour, the haven of rest, the city that hath foundations, whose builder 
and maker is God ; then 

" Not n sullying breath ehnll rue. 

To mar IhcW pfaet in tho»e bright :>m- ■». 

All will then be for ever peaceful. The smile of God is on them ; 
the fellowship of Christ incnrnnle with them ; the society congenial 
to the taste ; the employment delightful, and one unceasing round of 
rational, intellectual and holy pleniture, the eternal portion. He is 
fully satisfiod an he awakes in Christ's likeness. " Mark the perfect 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 18 

man and behold the upright ;" consider well his parentage, his patri- 
mony, his principles, and his peaceful end. 

Just how far the subject of our present discourse, Major Thomas 
Rowland illustrated in himself these traits of the christian, it may at 
first seem unbecoming in us definitively to say. It may seem like an 
attempt to enter the heart, and judge in reference to that, in which 
God only is competent to decide. But judging by the evidence of the 
fruits, and so far as these are seen we are at liberty to speak, we hesi- 
tate not to class him with those whom our text calls upon us to con- 
sider and mark attentively. Doubtless he belongs to those whose end 
is peace. More than ten years since he learned to call God, Father. 
Passing through a period of deep, and soul subduing penitence, led to 
regard himself as a sinner, and in need of a Saviour, he cast himself 
with entire self renunciation on Christ, and has ever since exemplified 
the humble and upright walk of the child of God. Modest and re- 
tiring in his habits, desiring no place of conspicuity, and yet discharg- 
ing every duty with fidelity that was laid to his hands, he has meek- 
ly and unobtrusively pursued his round of daily duty, not fearing the 
face of man, nor shunning to declare the whole counsel of God ; faith- 
fully reminding his old and tried friends of the necessity of having an 
interest in that Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. There are 
those here to-day, who were associated with him in the early history 
of this country, while yet a territory, whose names are had in respect, 
and whose friendship Avas a source of grateful remembrance to our 
departed brother ; and there are others, too, who have more recently 
stood with him in public stations, all of whom can testify, that he has 
not been unmindful of his christian obligations and duties in reference 
to their spiritual interests. I say this, not unadvisedly, having been 
permitted during the past year, while associated with him, to spend 
many seasons of social and soul unlocking hours of conference and 
prayer. Our departed friend was not one who thinks all done, when 
the word of admonition has been given. He felt it his duty to follow 
the word spoken with prayer, to water it with tears, to add line to 
line, and precept to precept. But he will do this no more. He has 
gone to be confessed, to be owned and acknowledged by the Saviour 



14 A Kl'SERAL DIRCOl'RSE. 

of mankind. lie hna gone home to the Father % hmite, to enter upon 
tlu' pofvises^ion uf that part of tlie ■patnmonu tliat iK'Iongs to the other 
world. Of the portion that jwrtnins to this world — and especially of 
that part of it which is necessarj' for its disciplinary uses, he has had 
his share. But of this we can not speak more particularly. Whatever 
mnv have lH>en his trials, however deep his sorrows, the world has 
known but little of them. He has kept thein in his own bo^um. and 
maxnhj communed only with his God in regard to them. 

As to the principles of his christian character, those who knew him 
bej^t bear testimony that he lived to exemplify them. And as to his 
end, the record is, 'twas peace. He felt that God was gnicious ; 
Christ was near, and ?eemed gracious to him, and though he did not 
long anticipate his exit, yet he was prepared. lie expressed himself 
thus, and his looks showed that it was so. His language was, " All 
is peace," the very words of my text. And again he said, " It is 
sweet to lean upon Christ ;" and again, " I feel the spirit of adoption." 
You who have heard him .sometimes speak in reference to himself, 
may have noticed a desire for more light, almost an impatience, be- 
cause he did not have a richer experience, full as.<nirance, a more 
lively hope, the confidence of Him who said, " I know that my Re- 
deemer lives," " I know in whom I have believed and trusted ;" but 
during the week previous to his dt-ath, all this was dissipated ; the 
clouds broke away ; the sunshine of heaven entered his soul ; prayer 
seemed answered. On the Sabbath, the day l)efore he died, having 
no anticipation that his time was so short, he said, " I have a hope of 
eternal life through Christ;" and his mind oeemed wrapped in prayer 
and praise. The world did not trouble him ; the eternal Sabbath was 
about to dawn, and God was making his last earthly Sabbath the day 
of preparation. 

We shall now call your attention to a brief recapitulation of his 
life, which will not be considered inappropriate here. 

Major Thoma-s Rowland wa>* boni on the 4th of February, IT^^l. at 
I'nion Town. Favettc County, Pennsylvania, and dying August 13th, 
1849, was, as will be seen, about sixty-five years of age. His pa- 
rent-« were pious. He wa.s a child of many prayers. I have it from 



\ 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 15 

reliable authority, that they were faithful in training him in the way 
he should go, and when he was old he certainly did not depart from 
it. The blessed savor of their influence was felt by him during his 
youth and riper years, never entirely being lost to him. When about 
14 years of age, he was made deeply sensible of his lost condition, 
and his need of a Saviour, and for awhile indulged the hope that he 
had become an adopted child of God. Circumstances, and the social 
influences in which he was placed, led him to be ashamed of his hope. 
He tried to conceal his religion, visited places of amusement, and thus 
shut himself out from the smile and approbation of conscience and of 
God. Still he never entirely lost his serious impressions, his fear of 
God, his abhorrence of sin as against God, and the remembrance of 
parental counsels and prayers. 

Previous to the war of 1812, he held some ofiice of public trust, 
and was also engaged in business in New Lisbon, Ohio, where he then 
resided. On the declaration of war with Great Britain in June, 1812, 
he volunteered to raise a company, and did raise one, and was march- 
ing with it to the relief of Detroit, then menaced by General Brock, 
" one of the most energetic and able of the British commanders in 
Canada ;" but he only arrived at Monroe, Avhere he was met by the 
news of the surrender of General Hull and of Detroit to the British 
forces. This neAvs was brought to him by a British officer, sent down 
by General Brock to demand Avhat arms and ammunition he might 
have, and a surrender of the troops. So astounded was he by the 
inteUigence of the surrender of Detroit, that he would not credit it. 
He put the officer under arrest, and confined him for the night. In 
the morning, having satisfied himself from the French around him 
that the surrender had actually been made, he restored the oflScer his 
sword and papers, but himself and forces turned their faces toward 
Ohio, making good their retreat. 

When General Harrison was ordered to take charge of the army of 
the North-West, he reported himself to him, and was directed by Gen- 
eral Harrison to bring on the Pennsylvania regiment, then being raised, 
and to join him at Urbana. And he was with General Han'ison du- 
ring the winter of 1812-13, in his operations upon this frontier. In 



li A KrNKhAI. DISCCII KRK. 

the spriiicfof 1818, having been appointed to the command of a com- 
pany in tho 27tli rcijfimetit, he apfnin joined General Harrison, and was 
with him durin<,' the whole campnipfn, which ended in the recoven* of 
Detroit, and the (Iffrat uf the Uritish array at the battle of the 
Thames, in which action he was present and partieipntcd. After the 
termination of the campaif^n, he remained in Detroit, doinpr duty as 
a military man. and wjis promoted to a Majority by President Madi- 
Fon. in c«insideration of thd services he had rendered to his countn. 

When it was determined to send an expedition to Mackinaw — 
the only remaining part of our territory in the hands of the Brit- 
ish — Major Rowland claimed it as. his right to be appointed to 
the command of that expedition. Hut it was given to Colonel 
Holmes, who fell there in the discharge of his duty, God rcsemng 
our friend for farther labors in another campaign, under Immanuel, 
where, as a soldier of the cross, he might win imperishable laurels — 
not in bodies wounded and territory' laid waste, but in souls subdued, 
and heaven won for the vancpiished. 

In July, 1814, he was married to her who now mourns her loss, but 
who rejoices in his gain, and who "mourns not as those who have no 
hope." In September of this year he went on a recruiting semce into 
Ohio, where he continued until the following June, and when in 1815 
peace was declared and the troops disbanded, he retired from the nrmv 
to private life, and was appointed Clerk of the County Cpurt, (then a 
place of much more importance than now,) and also Justice of the 
Peace, which offices he held during the continuance of the Territorial 
Government ; one of our own present citizens (General Cass) being at 
that time Governor of the Territor)-. It was about this time, al-v), 
that he received from the President the appointment of U. S. Marehal, 
which position he continued to hold until 1827; being at the same 
time I'. S. Pension Agent, and al.so holding offices of honor and trust 
in the gift of his o\m citizens, who, hj repeatedly electing him to dif- 
ferent respon.<*ible tnists showed their high appreciation of his integ- 
rity and worth. Since then he has, during one Gubernatorial rtpimr, 
(that of Hon. W. W. Woodbridge,) been employed n» Secrciarv- of 
State, and for three years wai» the City Postmaster. Thus continuing 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. lY 

to enjoy the respect and confidence of the public, he has filled up his 
days in the sight of his fellow men, exposed necessarily and unavoid- 
ably to the aspersions incident to public life, but with no blot upon 
his memory. 

From this detail of incidents connected with his public civil duties, 
we pass to speak of him again briefly as a christian. We have re- 
ferred to his early ti*aining, xmder parental influences ; we have spoken 
of the gradual decay of these restraints, and of his subsequent peni- 
tence and submission to Christ, and of his conversion. We now refer 
to his more recent life. It is fresh in the memory of many here to- 
day, who are acquainted with the religious history of Detroit for ten 
years past. 

At a time of special rcHgious interest, he was one among 
others, who was led to embrace Christ as his Saviour, and pubhcly 
profess him before men. He hesitated not to declare " his hearty 
surrender of himself to God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in all 
the offices they discharge for the government and salvation of men, 
and his fixed and unalterable purpose to bring all his powers into sub- 
jection to Christ, and to identify his interests, for time and for eternity, 
with the church of God." Here, where he publicly owned his Sa- 
viour, his Savioiu- owned him again, by calling him to serve as a Ru- 
hng Elder in the Presbyterian Church ; first, in the First Presbyterian 
Chm-ch, and since then in the Second Presbyterian Church, which the 
increasing wants of our city have demanded. That he was faithful 
here, and an example worthy to be held up consjnaioushj, and one 
who should be marked, you can all bear testimony ; and hence, as was 
said by the Pastor of the First Chm-ch, in reference to a co-elder, Mr. 
Robert Stuart, who has also within the year past been called home to 
heaven — a man of the same age, born the same year, between Avhom 
and Major Ptowland there was a strong mutual attachment, whose 
record is that he was " a faithful christian ;" so we say of him : " You 
have knoAvn his going out and his coming in, and his history need not 
be detailed ;" and to it we may add, in reference to them both, "To 
Uve in hearts we love, is not to die ;" " Blessed are the dead who die 

3 



10 A VUNKBAI. DIS000B8K. 

in tlio Lord, from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
from their labors, and their works do follow them." 

" Sorvnnts of Ood, well dtmc ; 

Rest from Oiy loved employ ; 
The l>attlc fought — the victory won — 

Enter thy Master's joy. 

" Tlie paitis of death jire past , 

Labor and sorrow cease ; 
And life's long warfhre dosed at last, 

Thy souU are found in peace. 

** Soldiers of Christ, well done, 

Praise be thy new cmjiloy ; 
And while eternal ages run. 

Host in thy Saviour's joy." 

And now, beloved hearers, permit a brief word of <xhortation in 
more direct reference 1" (lu- aflVntiun of tbi> iiinvidcmf, wliidi to-dav 
we commemorate. 

1st. To you, beloved mother in Israel — a widow, but not left com- 
fortless — what shall I add to what I have already said ? Thy hus- 
band is dead, but thy Redeemer live.s. Fear not, neither be thou 
confounded. God is tlip widow's supporter and (he widow's friend. 
Stay your heart on God. He will keep thee in perfect peace when 
thy heart is stayed on him. He has proved himself in your experi- 
ence a prayer-hearing and covenant-keeping G^xl. Say: The Lord 
reigneth ; let the earth rejoice. The Lord gave and the Lord hath 
taken away ; ble^ed be the name of the Lord. Remember the expe- 
rience of God's children in other days, while the waters of a full cup 
are wrung out to thee. Remember that, though "no affliction for the 
present is joyotis, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward it yieldelh the 
peaceful fruits of righteousness to those Avho are exercised thereby." 
Soon will this separation be over; soon will you go to him, to be sep- 
arated, never. It is occasion for gratitude that God has permitted so 
lengthened a union. You have seen many separations by death be- 
tween husbands and wives, while your union has been prolonged ; and 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 18 

as you feel your loneliness and loss, think of his ransomed spirit be- 
fore the throne. " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of 

his saints." ■ 

To the son, we only say, in this place, Remember, seek not to erased 
from memory's tablet, his prayers, his words of counsel, his pleadings 
for your temporal and eternal welfare — "his words of love once 
spoken." Show your respect for his memory by your obedience to 
his precepts, and, as in his sight, walk circtimspectly — 

" The child of parents passed into the skies." 

His faith follow, considering the end of his conversation, Jesus Christ, 
the same yesterday, to-day and for ever. — lleb. xiii., V. 

To the Session and Membership of the First Church, to you, be- 
loved hearers, who have seen his going out and coming in for years, 
to you God speaks — and how emphatically does he speak, particularly 
to the office-bearers here. Oftentimes, when God begius to make 
himself known by the judgments he executes or the mercies that he 
sends, he continues to repeat his acts 'till the desired impression and 
designed result is accomplished. Now, whether you may regard the 
removal of two standard-bearers from among you so recently, either as 
a judgment or a mercy, (to them, no doubt, a mercy ; to us, in our 
bereavement, a, judgment, unless we learn the lesson that it teaches,) 
in whatever light you may regard it, it is the voice of God to you, 
saying, " Is it well with thee ? Is it well with the church ?" Your 
pastor has said that the first breach made in the Session of the First 
Church, for thirteen years, was that made by the decease of the 
much-loved Stuart, whose memory you cherish. But how quickly 
has it been followed by another, in the person of him whom to-day 
we mourn. May your improvement of these providences, in the in- 
crease of your faith and diligence, be such as to merit the commenda- 
tion, that by it the " elders obtained a good- report." It is the voice 
of God to you, speaking once, and again, and calling you to take care 
of the flock over which he has made you overseers. To each member 
of the church it speaks, and bids them so live as that the savor of 
their influence may survive them, and their memory be blessed. 



so A VUNERAL DI8C0U 

To the Second Presbyterimi Clmrcli, and to him who now stands 
alone in the Khloi-ship. except us aided l)y the brethren of the First 
Church, — to you, beloved little Hock, tiod speaks; and by no one's 
decease could he have spoken more loudly. Sliall we despond ? 
Shall we despair? Why, Gixl is here, giving us encouragement tola- 
bur, n<.it discouragement. Here is he telling us, yuur rewjird is sure. 
You .shall not labor in \ain ; your works do follow you. (i<»d is here 
reminding us, that what we have to do, we must do (juickly, for the 
night of death cometh, in which wo cannot work. He also .says : 
** I3e thou fjiithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." 
He has as it were called us to be present at a grand and glorious cor- 
onation scene, and he gives the assurance that there is hiid up a crown 
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to all such as love 
Christ's appearing. He will, in his own good time luid way, heal the 
breach he has made ; he will send others to bear the emblems of the 
Saviour's love. I would as soon doubt his existence as question this 
truth. "We should not borrow the least anxiety on this score ; but we 
should trust liini entin-ly. He cares mon; for the cliun-h's interest 
and welfare than we do or can. Our duty is to tnist him, in the fire, 
in the flood, amid bereavements, always, under all circumstances — 
knowing that he doeth all things well. 

To you, beloved brother, left alone in the eldersliij. — s.-n »ii.-ii.ni-, 
for a little S4:'ason, borne with him the svmbols of the Saviour's death, 
and shared in the rpsponsibilities, of the eldership — to you, we say, 
Keep him always before you. Pniy that a double portion of his spir- 
it may be yours. ImiUite hira in his ardent/«i'M — in his steady, /xr- 
severitiff diliijencc — in his consistent walk and daily conversation. On 
you now for a season, at least, rests a double duty, 'till Gpd in his 
providcnc*' shall send us a n)iui or men to divide with )ou the labors 
of the eldership. On you rests a A\(i "t t.f i.m" i,-il.iii(v that may 
well lead you to exclaim, who is sufli' I >e much 

in prayer. " In ever}* thing, with pniyerand tluuiksgiviuglel your re- 
quest l)e made known unto tiod," and so cuuduct as tliat when the Nfas- 
ter sends for you, yc)ur end may be pcan ; you too iiuy feel the spirit 



A FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 21 

Of adoption; you too may say, "It is sweet to lean upon Christ •" 
andyou too may say, "I have a hope of eternal life through 
Christ. ^ 

To those young men whom he delighted to instruct in the Bible 
Class, we say, we beheve you Avill not be mnnindful of his teachino- • 
we know you will cherish his memory, and delight to call him blessed' 
See to It that you heed his admonitions, and meet him at the rio-ht 
hand of the throne. *= 

To those engaged in the City Tract Distribution-the monthly dis- 
tribution of leaves for the healing of the people-to them there is a 
word of warning and of encouragement here. As a ward superintend- 
ent, and as one engaged personally in Tract distribution, he had not 
his equal. I say it intending no disparagement to others, and mean- 
ing to aver the simple truth, that his equal in faithful labor, in diho-ent 
co-operation, in personal effort for souls, in regularity in reportino-^he 
apparent results of effort ; inconstant attendance upon the monthly 
meetings, his superior or his peer is not to be found among us. There 
are fruits of his labors to be seen here. I have seen enter this church 
to day, some who by this instrumentality have, through his ao-ency 
been converted to God. ° 

Brethren, Sisters, be ye followers of him, and be ye like him in these 
respects. Who will come forward and fill his place ? who will follow 
in his footsteps, and engage in this humble but rich-rewardino- labor 
of love ? ^ 

To his fellow citizens, and particularly to those who have lono- 
known him, and who have acted with him in public and in private life" 
to you the voice of this admonition should be a voice, to be heeded' 
God here speaks to j/ou, saying. Your days are numbered ; your com- 
pamons are being taken ; one after another is falling around you ; your 
own time hastens : Are yo« prepared ? Is God, your Father, recon- 
ciled? Have you the spirit of adoption? Have you now in part, and 
before you m reversion, the patrimony that the heavenly parent gives ? 
Do you enjoy the christian's ^rm^^, and act upon his"^rma>^^5, and 
anticipate his end? These are not questions of trifling moment- 



422 A FISEBAL DlSCOl'RSB. 

'n.ey may not be procrastinated. You should not hold them in abey- 
anc«. God calls, 

" Be wi»e to day, 'tis madneM to defer." 

" Why will you waste nn trifling cares 

That life wliicli G(h1 » c>mpiu*»ion spare* ; 

While, in the various range of thought. 

The («ie tiling nceJful u forgot!" 
" Mark the perfect man, und behold the upright, for the end of that 
man is peace." 



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